Knotter



April 29, 1969 c. F. scHuLmi 3;441,302

l KNoTfrER I .fild June 17, 196e l sheet l of 2 y 22 v @n l carl scha/dr`46" :I 4/2 INVENTOR;

7a 48 s n BY 4 y v and# Hmm. I

April 29, 1969 c. F. scHULDT v 3,441,302

KNOTTER Filed June 17, 1968 l sheet l of 24 6dr/ F. Schu/df INVENTOR.

BY mao'n Patented Apr. 29, 1969 3,441,302 KNO'ITER Carl F. Schuldt,Idaho Falls, Idaho, assigner to International Harvester Company,lChicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Continuation-impart ofapplication Ser. No. 628,863, Apr. 6, 1967. This application June 17,1968, Ser. No. 744,266

Int. Cl. B65h 69/04 U.S. Cl. 289-14 20 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSUREA knotter such as that presently being used on International HarvesterHay Balers including a frame rotatably supporting a twine disc assemblydefining front and rear discs separated by a hub and having axiallyspaced outer peripheral portions forming a radially outwardly openingand circumferentially extending groove therebetween and a blade-likedisc cleaner having an end portion provided With concave endwiseoutwardly facing arcuate edge portions disposed and substantially seatedon the hub between the outer peripheral portions of the discs. The disccleaner includes a recess formed therein opening endwise outwardlythrough centrally disposed portions of the aforementioned arcuate edgeportions of the cleaner and with circumferentially spaced openingsformed in one of the discs registrable therewith, the registering recessand openings serving to provide a discharge path for automaticallydischarging dust and debris tending to build up between the cleaner andthe hub. Material buildup in this area produces a condition of highresistance to movement of the hub past the cleaner resulting inexcessive wear on the drive gears of the disc assembly.

This is a continuation-in-part application of my copending applicationSer. No. 628,863, filed Apr. 6, 1967, now abandoned.

The knotter of the instant invention is conventional in construction andoperation except for the aforementioned recess and the circumferentiallyspaced openings registrable therewith, one form of the knotter includingopenings opening radially outwardly of the peirphery of the associateddisc and the second form of knotter including openings spaced inwardlyfrom and out of communication with the periphery of the associated disc.Means is provided to yieldingly urge the arcuate edge portion of thecleaner into seated engagement with the bottom of the groove definedbetween the axially spaced outer peripheral portions of the discs.However, the disc cleaner, by being yieldingly urged into seatedengagement within the groove, has its operation appreciably changed inthat its improved mounting imparts a vibratory movement thereto whichcoacts with the circumferentially spaced openings formed in the disc andregistrable with the recess formed in the disc cleaner to insure thatthere will not be a build-up of fluff in the groove between the clampingdiscs.

An object of this invention is to provide a knotter designed to preventthe build-up of fluff or other debris between the disc hub and thecleaner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a disc assembly with apassage for conducting material separated from the hub by the cleaner.

A further object is to provide a twin disc assembly with knife edges forshearing material wedged between the discs and the cleaner.

A still further object is to provide a means whereby a conventionalknotter may be readily modified in accordance with the present inventionwithout extensive changes being made to the conventional knotter.

A final object of this invention is to provide a knotter of conventionalconstruction with modified structural features that will be of simpleconstruction, dependable in operation and require little maintenance.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional form ofknotter modified in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the knotter withportions thereof being broken away to more clearly illustrate some ofthe structural details thereof;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyupon a plane indicated by section line 3 3 of FIGURE 1 and illustratingfurther details of construction of the modified knotter;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon theplane indicated by section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional form ofknotter modified in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the knotterillustrated in FIGURE 3 with portions thereof being broken away andillustrated in vertical section to more clearly illustrate some of thestructural details thereof;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantiallyupon the plane indicated by the section line 7-7 of FIGURE `6;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon theplane indicated by the section line 8--8 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 9 9 of FIGURE6; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 10-10 ofFIGURE 6.

Referring now more specifically to FIGURES 1 4 of the drawings, thenumeral 10 generally designates a first conventional form of knotterincluding a frame 12 of conventional designincluding a twine disc pinion14, a bill hook pinion 16, a knotter frame gauging surface .18, a keeperblade 20, a twine knife 22 and a twine disc assembly generally referredto by the reference numeral 24. In addition, the knotter 1l) includes abill hook 26, a bill hook jaw 28, a drive pinion 30 for the twine discassembly 24 and a bill hook closing cam spring 32 supported from a bolt34.

The aforementioned specific structural features of the knotter 10,except for the disc assembly 24, are all of conventional design andsimilar to corresponding structural features disclosed in U.S. PatentNo. 3,214,206, dated Oct` 26, 1965.

With attention now invited more specifically to FIG- URES 2-4 of thedrawing it may be seen that the twine disc assembly 24 includes a reardisc 36 mounted on an arbor or spindle 38 for rotation therewith. Thespindle 38 is driven by drive pinion 30 and a front disc 40 is securedto the rear disc 36 by means of removable threaded fasteners 42 spacedcircumferentially about the spindle 38. The rear disc 36 is relieved asat 44 so as to form axially spaced outer peripheral portions 46 and 48of the discs 36 and 48, respectively, defining a circumferentiallyextending groove 58 therebetween.

An elongated disc cleaner generally referred to by reference numeral S2is provided and includes an elongated reduced end portion 54 at one endof its shank 56 loosely telescopingly received within an elongatedrecess 58 provided therefor in the frame 12 opening outwardly toward thedisc assembly 24 and the other end of the disc cleaner 52 is aplate-like in configuration and includes arcuate edge portions 60 and 66seatingly received in the groove 5t). Again, as previously set forth,this structure is to be considered as conventional and the onlymodications of the disc cleaner 52 represented by the instant inventioninclude the formation of a recess 68` in the plate-like end of the disccleaner 52 between the arcuate edge portions 60 and 66, the reduction ofthe width of the shank 56 so as to provide the shoulders 70 and 72thereon and the installation of a compression spring 74 about the shank56 between the frame 12 and the shoulders 70 and 72 so as to yieldinglyurge the arcuate edge portions 60 and 66 into seated engagement with thebottom of the groove 50. Further, the only modifications of the discassembly 24 represented by the instant invention is the formation ofdiametrically opposed slots '76 and 78 in the front disc 40 which arealternately registrable with the recess 68 upon rotation of the twinedisc assembly 24 relative to the frame 12.

Without the formation of the recess 68 in the disc cleaner 52, thearcuate edge portions -60 and 66 would be opposite end portions of acontinuous arcuate surface and it has been found that there is atendency for a build-up of fluff and other debris between the discs 36and 40 when the recess 68 is not present. In addition, the utilizationof the compression spring 74 to yieldingly urge the disc cleaner 52 intoseating engagement with the bottom of the groove 50 tends to maintainthe disc cleaner 52 more precisely positioned and to impart a slightvibratory motion thereto during rotation of the twine disc assembly 24.Further, the formation of the slots or openings 76 and '78 in the frontdisc `40 in position for registry with the recess 68 provides a meanswhereby fluff and other debris may be discharged from the groove 50. Infact, rotation of the slots or openings 76 and 78 past the recess 68tends to create air turbulence during the periods of registry of theopenings 76 and 78 with the recess 68 that automatically dischargesfluif and other debris within the recess 68 outwardly through the slotsor openings 76 and 78.

With reference now to FIGURES 5-10 of the drawings, the numeralgenerally designates a second conventional form of knetter including aframe 12' of conventional design, a twine disc pinion 14', a `bill hookpinion 16', a knotter frame gauging surface 18', a keeper blade 20', atwine knife 22' and a twine disc assembly generally referred to by thereference numeral 24. In addition, the knotter 10' includes a bill hook26', a bill hook jaw 28', a drive pinion 30' for the twine disc assembly24' and a bill hook closing cam spring 32' supported from a bolt 34'.

Accordingly, it may be seen that the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES5-10 is quite similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 4 andthat prime numerals are utilized to designate portions of the embodimentof 4 FIGURES 5-10 which correspond to the numerals utilized to designatethe similar components of the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES l-4.

The disc assembly 24' may therefore be considered as quite similar tothe disc assembly 24 and includes a rear disc 36' mounted on an arbor38' driven by the pinion 30' and a front disc 40' which is secured tothe rear disc 36 by means of suitable threaded fasteners 42'. The reardisc 36' is relieved as at 44 t0 form a groove 50' between the outerperipheral portions 46' and 48 of the discs 36' and 40', respectively.

An elognated disc cleaner generally referred to by the reference numeral52 and similar to the cleaner 50 is provided and includes an elongatedreduced end portion 54 at one end of its shank 56' loosely telescopinglyreceived within an elongated recess 58' provided therefor in the frame12' opening outwardly toward the disc assembly 24'. The other end of thedisc cleaner 52 includes a platelike portion 59 which is bifurcated soas to form arcuate edge portions 60' and 66' on the free ends of a pairof forks 61 and 63 dening a recess 68' therebetween. The platelike endportion 59 is received in the groove 50' with the arcuate edge portions60' and 66' conforming to and abutting and disposed in slidingengagement with the opposing bottom surface portions 0f the groove 50'defined by the circumferential shoulder formed on the rear disc 36 bythe relieved area 44'.

The shank 56' is reduced in transverse dimension rela.- tive to theplate-like portion 59 in order to form a pair of shoulders 70 and 72' atthe inner end of the shank 56' and a compression spring 74' is disposedabout the shank 56 between the shoulders 70' and 72 and the portions ofthe frame 12' disposed about the outer end of the recess 58'. The spring74 serves to yieldingly urge the elongated disc cleaner 52 toward thedisc assembly 24' and to therefore maintain the arcuate surfaces 60' and66 in seated sliding engagement with the bottom of the groove 50".

The front disc 40' has a pair of circumferentially spaced openings 76and 78' formed therein which correspond to the openings 76 and 78.However, the openings 76' and 78' are in the form of generally radiallyoutwardly opening notches which are in direct communication with andopen through the peripheral edge of the front disc 40'. In addition, theedge portions of the front disc 40 defining the openings 76' and 78' arebeveled as at 77 and 79 in order to form sharpened edge portions whichwill cooperate with the forks 61 and 63 of the panel-like portion 59 ofthe cleaner 52. Further, the rear disc 36' of the disc assembly 24includes openings 81 and 83 which are similar to the openings 76' and78', registered with the latter axially of the disc assembly 24' butslightly shorter in circumferential extent. Further, the openings 81 and83 are defined by edge portions of the rear disc 36' which are beveledas at 85 and 87 to form sharpened edge portions which also serve tocooperate with the forks 61 and 63 to be disposed in shearing relationtherewith in order to cut any material extending from the recess 68'into the openings 81 and 83 during rotation of the disc assembly 24'.

As may be observed from FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the portions of thefront disc 40 defining the openings 76 and 78 are also beveled so as tobe inwardly conve-rgent and therefore also cooperate with the disccleaner 52 and the recess 68 formed therein to cut any materialextending from within the recess 68 outwardly into either of theopenings 76 and 78 during rotation of the disc assembly 24.

Accordingly, it may be seen that either form of improved knotter of theinstant invention is capable of operating in a far more desirable mannerfor extended periods of operation before maintenance is required andthat the improvement represented by the instant invention may be readilyincorporated into conventional knotter structures of the typehereinbefore illustrated and described.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A knotter mechanism comprising in combination:

a frame;

a disc assembly mounted on said frame and having a hub, and

a pair of axially spaced discs mounted on said hub, said discs and saidhub defining an outwardly opening circumferentially extending groove,each of said discs have strand receiving notches formed in itsperiphery, said disc assembly being rotatable for positioning strandreceived in said notches; and

an elongated cleaner member having one end anchored to said frame andanother end interposed between said discs, said interposed end having aportion engaging said hub for separating material therefrom attendant torotation of said assembly, one of said discs having an opening formedtherein in registery with said circumferentially extending groove andpositioned relative to said portion of said cleaner member so thatmaterial separated from said hub passes from said groove through saidopening.

2. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said opening isparticularly positioned to register with the portion of said cleanermember engaging said hub upon rotation of said assembly.

3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said opening is in theform of an arcuate slot.

4. The invention as recited in claim Z wherein said openings is in theform of a peripheral notch extending radially inwardly substantially theentire depth of said circumferential groove.

5. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said opening has aknife-like edge and said elongate cleaner member has an intermediateedge portion disposed in said circumferential groove adjacent said oneof said discs and positioned radially to confront said knife-like edgeof said opening upon rotation of said assembly whereby material passingthrough said opening is severed by the action of said knife-like edgepassing over said edge portion of said cleaner member.

6. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongate cleanermember is in the form of a plate and said interposed end includes abifurcated portion having a pair of forks in engagement with said hub atcircumferentially spaced points, said forks delining a recessintermediate said engagement points for receiving and collectingmaterial separated from said hub, said opening also registering withsaid recess upon rotation of said assembly.

7. The invention as recited in claim 6 and further comprising means forurging said cleaner member radially inwardly relative to said discassembly whereby said forks yieldably engage said hub.

8. The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said discs have aplurality of said openings formed there- 9. The invention as recited inclaim 1 wherein each of said discs have openings formed therein andplaced in generally axial alignment, each opening in each disc havingknife-like edges, said cleaner member being in the form of a plate andhaving axially spaced edges positioned adjacent each disc, each of saidopenings radially positioned to pass in close conformity with itsassociated edge of said cleaner member so that material passing throughsaid openings will be severed by the action of the knife-like edgepassing over said cleaner member.

10. A knotter mechanism comprising:

a frame;

a disc assembly rotatable on said frame and having a hub, and

a pair of notched discs axially spaced on said hub, said discs and saidhub defining a radially outwardly opening, circumferentially extendinggroove, one of said discs havingk a deep notch formed in its periphery,said deep notch extending radially inwardly substantially the full depthof said groove, and

an elongate cleaner plate having one end anchored to said frame, andanother end interposed between said discs and having a portionscrapingly engaging said hub for directing material received in saidgroove radially outwardly thereof, said deep notch being registrablewith said interposed end upon rotation of said assembly so that materialdirected by said cleaner plate will pass from the groove through thedeep notch.

11. The invention as recited in claim 10 wherein said cleaner plate hasone edge in close conformity with said one of said discs, and said deepnotch has a front outwardly extending shoulder and a rear outwardlyextending shoulder, said rear shoulder forming a knife-like edge whichin passing over said edge of said cleaner plate upon rotation of saidassembly severs material extending through said deep notch.

12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein said shoulder and saidedge of said cleaner plate are angular- 1y disposed so that materialextending through said deep notch is scissored by the action of theknife-like edge passing over the edge of said cleaner plate.

13. A knotter mechanism comprising:

a frame;

a disc assembly rotatable on said frame and having a hub and a pair ofnotched discs axially spaced on said hub, said hub and discs defining aradially outwardly circumferentially extending groove;

a cleaner member having one end anchored to said frame and a forked endinterposed between said discs, said forked end engaging said hub at twocircumferentially spaced points, and defining -a recess intermediatesaid points of engagement for collecting material; and

means for removing material collected in said recess.

14. The invention as recited in claim 13 wherein said means for removingmaterial includes an opening formed in one of said discs, said openingbeing registrable with said recess upon rotation of said assemblywhereby material collected in said recess may pass from said groovethrough said opening.

15. The invention as recited in claim 13 and further comprising meansfor urging said cleaner member toward said hub so that `said points ofengagement yieldingly engage said hub.

16. The invention as recited in claim 13 wherein said forks are formedwith arcuate surfaces conforming to the circumference of said hub, saidarcuate surfaces being placed in close conformity to said circumferenceof said hub thereby providing two scraping surfaces for cleaning saidhub.

17. In combination, a knotter of the type including a frame from which atwine disc assembly is rotatably supported, said disc assembly includingfront and rear disc portions spaced apart along the axis of rotation ofsaid assembly defining a radially outwardly opening andcircumferentially extending groove between said front and rear discportions, an elongated disc cleaner having one end supported from saidframe and a plate-like end portion on its other end including concaveendwise outw-ardly facing arcuate edge portions received in said grooveand closely opposing the adjacent bottom surface portions of saidgroove, said plate-like end portion having a vcentral recess formedtherethrough which opens outwardly through centrally disposed portionsof said arcuate edge portions, and one of said disc portions having anopening formed therethrough intermittently registrable with said recessupon rotation of said disc assembly relative to said frame and cleaner.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein said elongated cleaner issupported from said frame for slight longitudinal shifting relative tosaid frame, and means 7 8 operatively connected between said frame andsaid elon- References Cited gated disc cleaner yieldingly urging saiddise cleaner longitudinally toward said disc assembly to seat arcuateUNITED STATES PATENTS edge POIUOHS 1H Sald groove 3,215,460 11/1965Bledsoe et al. 289-14 19. The combinationpf claim 1 7 wherein said .one5 3,232,652 2/1966 Bonga 289 14 d1se has a plurality ofc1rcumferent1ally spaced openings formed therein which are registrablewith said recess. 3370875 2/1968 Grluot 289-14 20. The combination ofclaim 19 wherein said openings :are in the form of arcuate slots whosecenters of LOUIS KRIMRODTPTWWFLV Examinercurvature generally coincidewith the axis of rotation of lo said disc assembly.

